Year-round school calendar will replace summer break

After a survey sent out to all students on Feb. 29, the district has decided to rearrange the school calendar so that students will continue to have school through June, July and August. This is also due to the high number of consecutive snow/cold days we experienced this year, and with the new schedule, learning time will be less affected.

“Taking climate change into consideration, at this rate in the next few years we’ll see the number of snow/cold days rise exponentially,” environmental teacher Arth Isflat said. “Adding more days as precaution is the only way to prevent exceeding the number of built in snow/cold days.”

The calendar will be switched at the beginning of next school year, so current seniors won’t be affected. This new schedule will allow for a two week spring break, but in the summer students will only have a week break in August compared to the traditional three month break.

“I usually work at the pool over the summer but I might have to quit my job,” junior Cam Elot said. “This new schedule won’t give me time to hold a job.”

The new school year will end after the first week of August and begin again on the third week of the same month. Graduation dates will be changed to the end of July. On July 4, students will still be required to attend school, along with any other holidays like Labor Day.  

“At least now I can have free access to a pool during gym class in the summer,” sophomore Posie Tiff said. “There’s also better air conditioning, so I don’t have to worry about a summer wardrobe as much.”

According to district representative Long Gerskooldais, the same school calendar we’ve had since the district began is outdated and doesn’t allow students enough time to absorb the curriculum. Breaks are not necessary for students’ mental health if they’re consistently focused on school.

“This calendar is the only way to make sure snow/cold days won’t make a huge dent in lesson plans,” Gerskooldais said. “We can’t think of any other solution.”